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The reborn Prince Hechingen of the Swabian branch of the Hohenzollern family perceives the unfolding situation in Europe, where war is imminent. Europe cannot afford to delay. The strategy involves establishing a presence in East Africa, fostering immigration and development, and laying the foundations for agriculture. This gradual approach leverages the crisis to expedite the process of industrialization

African Entrepreneurship History

On the north bank of the Limpopo River, Mr. Wiggins, who had been under house arrest in East Africa for several months, was given the opportunity to return to the Republic of Transvaal. East African soldiers handed him a letter intended for the Transvaal's president.

Wiggins couldn't believe he was being allowed to leave after his stay in East Africa, but the soldiers assured him. They explained that his sentence had expired, and he held the role of a messenger between the two countries.

Wiggins quickly agreed, promising to deliver the letter to the Transvaal's president. With the soldiers' approval, he embarked on a boat to cross the river, and his journey back to Pretoria began.

Unbeknownst to Wiggins, he carried the "Declaration of War" from the Kingdom of East Africa to the Republic of Transvaal. This document declared East Africa's state of war against the Transvaal Republic, accusing them of supporting the Ndebele rebellion and conspiratorial activities aimed at undermining East African politics.

As Wiggins traveled towards Pretoria, he remained oblivious to the significant role he was unknowingly playing in the impending conflict between East Africa and the Transvaal Republic.

Meanwhile, in Bulawayo, Crown Prince Ernst personally inspected the East African combat troops. He reviewed the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Brigade of the 331st Division of the East African Mountain Army. These mountain troops were specially trained to deal with the Zulus and included soldiers from various regions, such as Guangxi in the Far East and the Alps in Germany.

Ernst had carefully selected these troops, considering their resilience and ability to adapt to harsh conditions. The mountainous terrain in the Drakens Mountains made it challenging for the Boers to pursue the Zulus, and these mountain troops were prepared for such terrain.

Ernst was committed to the long-term development and stability of East Africa. He aimed to ensure the nation's independence and prevent any backlash from colonization in the future. His choice of troops and strategies reflected his determination.

The troops included the East African artillery unit, armed with small-caliber artillery. These guns would be crucial in countering the Boer tactic of using bullock carts for cover. Ernst had concentrated 30% of East Africa's artillery in Brae to prepare for the confrontation with the Boers.

The cavalry unit in East Africa was also reviewed. This marked the first large-scale use of cavalry in East Africa, a response to the Boers' formidable equestrian capabilities. Additionally, East African infantry was equipped with machine guns for the first time to deal with the Boer cavalry.

Ernst had been planning for this conflict for a long time, understanding the irresistible temptation the Republic of Transvaal presented. The military exercises and precautions taken, such as Wiggins' release on the Limpopo River, were part of the strategy to prevent the Boers from catching wind of East Africa's ambitions.

After the review, Ernst issued the order to target the Transvaal Republic, marking the beginning of East Africa's military campaign.

Chapter 381